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7-Keto DHEA (7KD)is one of approximately 150 metabolites of DHEA (produced by the adrenal gland) which has been shown clinically, to possess some of the effects of DHEA without being metabolized to testosterone and oestrogen. The skin and some other tissues are able to convert DHEA to 7-Keto DHEA in a two stage process and most of the research into 7-Keto DHEA has been conducted by Dr Henry Lardy and his associates at the University of Wisconsin. Dr Lardy has been granted patents to use 7KD in the treatment of Alzheimer's Disease, immune enhancement/modulation and weight loss.
7-keto DHEA has been evaluated in both preclinical studies and human clinical trials for safety. These studies show no mutagenic activity and no adverse effects for 7-keto DHEA up to doses of 2000 mg /kg in rats and 500 mg /kg in primates. It should be noted that 500 mg /kg is 3.5 grams in a normal 70 kg human." (30) Zenk notes that a clinical trial conducted to measure the effects of 7- keto DHEA on several endocrine and safety parameters in healthy adult men found 7- keto DHEA to be safe and well-tolerated at doses up to 200 mg/day of a 28-day period. (30) Zenk also reports that laboratory safety tests also showed 7- keto DHEA does not affect haematology, serum chemistry, or urine chemistry differently than healthy subjects taking placebo. (30)
Lardy has found that 7-keto DHEA is a potent increaser of liver thermogenic enzymes. He reports that "The 7-oxo-derivatives of both DHEA [i.e. 7-keto DHEA] and androstenediol are the most active compounds tested. over the range of 0.01 to 0.1% of the diet, 7-oxo-DHEA was 2.5 times as active as DHEA." (28) Research at the University of Wisconsin found 7-keto DHEA helpful in treating primates infected with Simian Immunodeficiency Virus (SIV). CD-4 (T helper) cell counts, CD-8 cell counts, and total white blood cells increased. The SIV-infected primates also showed improvements in their physical state, increased weight, and overall improvement in behavior and clinical condition. (30)
7-keto DHEA was also shown to increase IL-2 production better than DHEA, in human lymphocytes. IL-2 is the key cytokine regulator of T-helper cells, along with interferon-gamma, which activates the immune system to "go into battle" against invading pathogens. (30) Lardy and colleagues also found 7-keto DHEA to enhance memory in 2-year old mice. "The mice were trained to negotiate a water maze and then were given DHEA or 7-keto DHEA. They were retested after two weeks. The control mice took 34 seconds [to negotiate the maze]; those on DHEA took 22 seconds; and those on 7-keto DHEA took only 7.6 seconds.
Dr. Lardy found similar results in mice using scopolamine to abolish memory. When protected with 7-keto DHEA [and given anti-memory scopolamine] the mice were able to negotiate the water maze in 6.5 seconds, compared to 11.5 with DHEA treatment and 22 seconds with scopolamine treatment only." (30)
DHEA/ 7-KETO DHEA: DOSAGES
For those wishing to get the potential androgenic benefits of DHEA, extremely low doses are advised. 10-25 mg /day for women, 20-40 mg/day for men. Anyone suffering any serious disease or hormonal condition should only use DHEA under competent medical supervision. 7-keto DHEA may be effective at doses as low as 5-10 mg/day, with 25-50 mg/day being probably adequate for all but medical use in disease treatment under medical supervision.
Acknowledgement
This paper contains information from the web-site for International Aging Systems, Channel Islands, UK. (www.smart-drugs.net)
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